Dark Blue | c h

1 |

She sighed heavily, taking another puff of the cigarette in her hand. She had promised her family months ago that she'd quit, but they all knew she was lying.

Her hand tapped impatiently on the metal guard rail as she looked around in the mostly dark area, distant streetlights the only thing to illuminate anything.

Her breathing was slow and she closed her eyes momentarily, taking in the slight breeze that hit her bare legs.

3:40 A.M.. Loneliness filled her lungs.

This was a time when bars close and one night stands occur. When people are drunk or high as fuck enjoying themselves. When couples lay under their covers, snuggled up in each other. This was not the time for an 18 year old girl to be sitting alone on her balcony smoking a cigarette without feeling that empty void that would always come.

Her friends often asked why she smoked. She simply replied once, "Some smoke to enjoy it, I smoke to die."

They thought she was kidding. Little did they know she was dead serious.

Smoking helped with the loneliness. Every time she went out, it was like meeting a friend again. It filled the void after he had left her to fall into nothing.

Usually, she stood outside alone on her balcony, nobody disturbing her. This night, however, was different. A light had been turned on in the room opposite hers. It illuminated through the window, a shadow suddenly appearing. The figure opened the door and stood out onto the balcony.

She took another drag and sat down, suddenly interested in the person. She couldn't make out the face but she was positive it was a boy.

"Hey," she breathed out.

The boy jumped and screamed a little, taken aback by the voice.

"Um hi," he managed, trying to pull himself together. "Where are you?"

His accent wasn't the typical Aussie voice she had heard a million times.

"Balcony opposite yours," she replied nonchalantly.

She waved at him. He must've saw her shadow because he waved back.

"What are you doing out here at this time," he asked.

She huffed and took another puff, allowing the smoke to drift from her mouth.

"I could ask you the same thing, not-so-Aussie."

"How do you know I'm not Australian?"

She scoffed, digging the bud into the cement next to her.

"The tacky accent."

He was offended by her use of the word tacky but he sat down too, suddenly wanting to know this mysterious girl.

"I'm Kiwi and Scottish. And I can also tell you're not from over here either, stupid American."

She laughed almost silently.

"Ooh, that hurt. But hey, you're not far off. I am quite dumb, however, I'm actually Canadian."

He frowned, defeated.

"I don't have an insult about Canadians."

"Good, then I don't have to kick your ass."

He scoffed, but smiled.

"You don't even know me."

She crossed her arms over her oversized t shirt wearing chest.

"That wouldn't stop me from kicking your ass."

He laughed, easily amused.

"I like you mystery girl."

Her cheeks flushed but it was impossible to see in the dark.

"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself, Kiwi fruit."

He frowned again, his bottom lip jutting out.

"I dislike you more now."

She smirked devilishly.

"Good, I don't play well with strangers."

"You still didn't answer my question."

"Smoke break," she replied shrugging her shoulders. "Now your turn buddy boy."

"Jet lag. I came back from America today."

"Is that why you thought I was American?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"You sound similar."

"Eh, I'll give you that."

"Look up."

Her eyes found their way to the sky as she did what she was told.

"There's a few constellations I can see."

She rolled her eyes.

"Please don't tell me I've just wasted time on an astronomy nerd."

He scoffed loudly.

"I'm not a nerd, I just like looking at the stars."

"Nerd," she coughed, getting up from the cold cement.

Her eyes travelled once more to the shadow looking up. The only thing she could make out was his dark hair. She turned around and opened her door.

"Wait. Where are you going?"

"It's almost 4 o'clock, I'm going to bed."

"Meet me out here tomorrow, same time."

She rolled her eyes at him.

"Goodnight Kiwi fruit."

He waved at her, a smile forming on his face.

"Night Canadian."

She shut the door swiftly and locked it behind her, letting the small talk of the night drown her to sleep.